In Todays Paper

[ChicagoSTYX]

Styx still strong

Friday, May 27, 2005

By Steve Metsch
Staff writer

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Classic rock does not mean boring rock, as Styx ably demonstrated in an amazing show Wednesday night before 4,400 fans at Rosemont Theatre.
Styx not only delivered, they provided some surprises in a show sponsored by classic rock WDRV-FM (97.1), which hosted the concert for its listeners. The band — which came out of Chicago's Roseland community in the late 1960s — is a staple on the station.

Led by longtime members Tommy Shaw and South Sider James "JY" Young, Styx played for two hours and had the crowd yelling for more.

Young and Shaw were with the group when it sold millions in the 1970s and '80s. They may be in their 50s now, but age is just a number — their voices are as strong as ever and their guitars still sizzle.

And while keyboardist/singer Dennis DeYoung may no longer be part of the band, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan easily tackled lead vocals, sounding eerily like the man he replaced on "Grand Illusion" and "Lady."

Gowan also provided a bit of comic relief in addition to flawless music. His keyboard spun around, offering a clear view of his fingers dancing across the keys when he sat with his back to the audience.

Throughout the show, Young and Shaw traded lead vocals. "Snowblind," a haunting tale about cocaine, featured vocals by both.

"This song," Young said, "was inspired by Chicago's weather and bad behavior of our own."

Styx went back to the future for five songs from its new CD, "Big Bang Theory," a compilation of cover songs.

One of those was a remake of the Beatles' "I Am the Walrus," a version of which soared to No. 2 on the classic rock charts last year after it was added to WDRV's song rotation. "Big Bang Theory" debuted at No. 46 on the Billboard 200 last week.

"That's the best for us in 20 years. It's all your fault," a smiling Shaw, shaking his shoulder-length hair, told fans.

Styx's impressive resume was highlighted during a medley of 18 songs, including "Light Up," "Heavy Metal Poisoning," "Mr. Roboto" and "Half-Penny, Two-Penny."

Alabama native Shaw recalled how Styx asked him to audition in 1975 after hearing him play guitar at a Rush Street bar.

"I thought, 'Should I?' I was working on this song at the time. It would up being the title of the new album," Shaw said before playing the lovely "Crystal Ball."

Late in the show, Chuck Panozzo, the band's original bass player and one of its founders, strolled onstage with his guitar.

"Without his basement," Shaw said, "this band would not be."

Tentative during "Fooling Yourself," Panozzo attacked his guitar during "Come Sail Away" and "Renegade."

Another surprise was blues star Koko Taylor, who joined the band for two blues classics, "Wang Dang Doodle" and "Sweet Home Chicago," during the show's encore. Taylor sang backup vocals on a "Big Bang Theory" song recorded at legendary Chess Records.

Don't despair if you missed seeing the band because tickets were given only to station listeners. Styx "will return before the end of this year," according to Shaw.

[classicstyxfan]

Nice review, but no respect for a reviewer who cant distinguish:


1. A Bass from a Guitar

2. Gowan vocals from DeYoung vocals...


It was interesting to hear what they said on stage though.

PS , I will retract my statement if Chuck was playing Rythem Guitar instead of his usual instrument.....that would be newsworthy !!!